Electronmicroscopical Contrast by Palladium Chloride

Thin sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, epoxy resin-embedded bone marrow from rats were treated with 2% palladium chloride in 2% concentrated HCl. This procedure was found to induce high electron density in chromatin from all cell types and in cytoplasmic granules of neutrophils and eosinophils. In the latter, the crystalline body showed more contrast than the matrix.

Ruthenium red staining of polyanion containing structures in sections from epoxy-resin embedded tissues

Summary Staining by ruthenium red (0.5 mg/ml in borate buffer at pH = 9.2) has been used for light and electron microscopic visualization of polyanion containing structures in sections from glutaraldehyde-fixed, epoxy-embedded tissues. This staining technique can be applied in a simple and rapid way, showing the reactive cell components with suitable resolution and contrast. Preliminary spectrophotometric studies show the correspondence in absorption characteristics of the dye which is bound to polyanions in situ or in vitro .

Ranitidine-Induced Confusion with Concomitant Morphine

Are the Adverse Drug Reactions of Amoxycillin and Amoxycillin-Clavulanic Acid Similar?

UNLABELLED In an attempt to assess the relative toxicity of amoxycillin and amoxycillin-clavulanic acid, we compared the adverse drug reactions reports collected using the spontaneous reporting system of a Regional Drug Surveillance Centre of Spain for both drugs between November 1986 and December 1992. During the 7-year period 1986-92, the 247 reports of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid represent twice the number of reports of amoxycillin alone, and the number of reports related with sales received concerning the association were higher than those concerning amoxycillin alone. The adverse effects classified as severe were quantitatively and qualitatively similar for both drugs and gastrointesti…

A prospective study of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized children

Aims There are few publications of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among paediatric patients, though ADR incidence is usually stated to be higher during the first year of life and in male patients. We have carried out a prospective study to assess the extent, pattern and profile risk for ADRs in hospitalized patients between 1 and 24 months of age. Methods An intensive events monitoring scheme was used. A total of 512 successive admissions to two medical paediatric wards (47 beds) were analysed. The hospital records were screened daily during two periods (summer, 105 days and winter, 99 days), and adverse clinical events observed were recorded. Results A total of 282 events were detected; of …

Increased acidophilia of eosinophil granules after EDTA treatment

The acidophilic reaction of eosinophil leucocyte granules from human, pig and horse blood smears was investigated by using May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining after previous treatment with EDTA and sodium citrate solutions. The same peak at 530 nm, but absorption values considerably higher than those of controls, were found in eosinophil granules after application of chelating agents, indicating that removal of metal cations could unmask basic groups in these structures.

A prospective study of adverse drug reactions as a cause of admission to a paediatric hospital

1A total of 512 consecutive paediatric hospital admissions of children 2 years old or less were evaluated to assess the extent and pattern of admission caused by suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The proportion of suspected ADRs related to hospital admissions was 4.3%. 2The organ-systems most commonly implicated were the central nervous system (40.5%), digestive system (16.7%), and skin and appendages (14.3%). Together, they accounted for 71.5% of admissions attributed to ADRs. The most common clinical manifestations inducing admission were convulsions (4 cases), dizziness (4), vomiting (3), and tremor, fever, itching and apnoea (2 cases each). 3The four classes of drugs most frequen…

Metachromatic staining and electron dense reaction of glycosaminoglycans by means of Cuprolinic Blue

The cationic phthalocyanin-like dye Cuprolinic Blue, unlike phthalocyanin dyes such as Alcian Blue or Astra Blue, can definitely exhibit a clear metachromatic reaction with appropriate substrates. The application of Cuprolinic Blue to epoxy-embedded semithin sections revealed that mast cell cytoplasmic granules, goblet cell mucin and cartilage matrix stained in violet shades (metachromatic), whereas nuclear chromatin presented a bright blue coloration (orthochromatic). The metachromatic structures showed a high degree of contrast when ultrathin sections treated with Cuprolinic Blue were examined by electron microscopy. Cytophotometric measurements of stained components from the large intest…

Adverse drug reactions in children reported by means of the yellow card in Spain.

Abstract Objective: To analyze the case reports concerning children (14 years or younger) in the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System over a 10-year period (1982–1991). Findings: The study of 1419 reports of adverse drug reaction (9.8% of all those received) showed the most commonly involved organs and systems to be the skin, digestive tract, and nervous system (62.8%). The most commonly involved pharmacological groups were antibiotics, respiratory medications, and vaccines (69%). The absolute number of reports is higher in children between 1 and 4 years of age (37.9%). There were more reports among males than in females. Less than 5% of the reports notified directly life-threatening or fatal r…

Alkaline hydrolysis/methylation-acetylation: a new technique for ultrastructural DNA cytochemistry.

SUMMARY A new technique for the visualization of DNA-containing structures in electron microscopy is described. Samples of glutaraldehyde-fixed bone marrow from rats were subjected to alkaline hydrolysis to remove RNA and the phosphate of phospho-proteins, followed by a combined blockage of protein carboxyl and amino groups through methylation-acetylation. After uranyl acetate staining of epoxy-embedded ultrathin sections, chromatin from all cell types showed a highly selective and intense electron opacity. Staining methods for DNA were also positive in semithin sections. This simple procedure could be very useful in ultrastructural cytochemistry of DNA and chromatin.

Multi-centre validation of a flow cytometry method to identify optimal responders to interferon-beta in multiple sclerosis.

Background and objectives: Percentages of blood CD19 + CD5 + B cells and CD8 + perforin + T lymphocytes can predict response to Interferon (IFN)-beta treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. We aimed to standardize their detection in a multicenter study, prior to their implementation in clinical practice. Methods: Fourteen hospitals participated in the study. A reference centre was established for comparison studies. Peripheral blood cells of 105 untreated RRMS patients were studied. Every sample was analyzed in duplicate in the participating centre and in the reference one by flow cytometry. When needed, participating centres corrected fluorescence compensations…

Maxillary Implant-Supported Overdentures: Mechanical Behavior Comparing Individual Axial and Bar Retention Systems. A Cohort Study of Edentulous Patients.

Background and objectives: To compare the medium- to long-term mechanical behavior of overdentures with two different retention systems: overdentures with Locator&reg

Differential staining of mucin granules from epoxy resin sections by a phosphotungstic acid-methyl green procedure.

After treatment of epoxy resin semithin sections from glutaraldehyde fixed rat large intestine with 5% aqueous phosphotungstic acid (PTA), staining with unpurified 0.2% solutions of methyl green at 60 C for 5 min produces a color differentiation between mucin granules of goblet cells. Some mucin granules and the glycocalyx appear deep green while the remaining granules, luminal mucin and collagen fibers are pink. The known contamination of unpurified methyl green with crystal violet seems to be responsible for the pink staining reaction of the latter structures, which also present an orange-red fluorescence under green exciting light. Electron microscopic observations show selective contras…